Canadian tennis trailblazer Vasek Pospisil to say farewell to tennis at home tournament

Vasek Pospisil will say farewell to tennis at his home tournament, the Canadian Open next week after receiving a late wildcard to the tournament in Toronto for his final farewell.

Pospisil is saying farewell to an 18-year career that has seen him claim a high of World No.25 in singles and World No.4 in doubles during 2014 and 2015.

He sealed six doubles titles on the ATP Tour including at Indian Wells in 2015. He also won Wimbledon alongside Jack Sock toppling the incredible Bob and Mike Bryan in a five-set final on Centre Court. But he wasn't just a threat in doubles.

He also reached the Wimbledon Quarter-Finals in 2015 in singles and reached three tour-level finals in Washington (2014), Sofia and Montpellier (2020). So while at the age of 35, he isn't as competitive now, he showed previously that he has the game to trouble both sides of the draws.

He also leaves behind Team Canada in the Davis Cup. He has been an ever present since his debut in February 2008. He has played 35 ties and sealed 33 wins. His final appearance was in Montreal earlier this year. He won the Davis Cup alongside Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau and captain Frank Dancevic. A crowning glory to his storied career.

He also represented Canada twice at the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016 in London and Rio. He becomes the latest Canadian to say goodbye with Genie Bouchard of course a lot younger than him also leaving the sport.

Bouchard and Pospisil for a long time were the top Canadians before Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime, Andreescu and Fernandez were ushered in. Just last night FAA and Andreescu lifted the Hopman Cup showing there is very much life in the country yet.

“It’s never easy making a decision like this,” said Pospisil. “Tennis has been a huge part of my life, but it has become clear, both mentally and physically, that it's the right time to step away. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the career I’ve had, especially coming from a small town where this dream once felt so far away. While I’m genuinely excited for what’s next, there will always be a part of me that misses the sport and everything it’s given me. Thank you to the passionate Canadian tennis community for supporting and cheering me on throughout my career. I'm honoured to have the opportunity to finish it alongside you, my friends and family in Toronto."

In giving him a wildcard to the tournament, Pospisil was paid tribute to by the Chief Executive of Tennis Canada. He lauded Pospisil for his role in helping Canadian's pick up a racquet.

“We would like to thank Vasek [Pospisil] for everything he has done, and will continue to do, for Canadian tennis over the course of a spectacular career,” said Gavin Ziv, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada. “As the likes of Daniel Nestor did before him, Vasek has inspired countless Canadians across the country to pick up a racquet and participate in our great sport - proving, as the now-famous catchphrase goes, that ‘anything is Pospisil’. His career highlights are the stuff of legend, including that incredible Wimbledon doubles victory in 2014 and, of course, a Davis Cup championship, which we know meant so much to him and to the growth and development of tennis in Canada. We wish him the very best in his retirement.”